How should Ezekiel 43:5 influence our understanding of God's holiness and majesty? The Verse at the Center “Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.” (Ezekiel 43:5) A Return of Glory—Real, Visible, Overwhelming • God’s glory physically departed in Ezekiel 10–11; here it literally comes back. • The prophet is not dreaming up a symbol—he is witnessing an actual, future moment when God’s presence re-enters a real millennial temple. • The scene echoes earlier manifestations: – Exodus 40:34–35—“the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” – 1 Kings 8:10–11—“the priests could not stand to minister… for the glory of the LORD.” • Each appearance reinforces that divine glory is tangible, not abstract, and that it dominates every space it fills. God’s Holiness on Display • Holiness means “set apart,” utterly distinct from all created things. • When His glory fills the house, no impurity can remain (cf. Habakkuk 2:20; Isaiah 6:1–5). • Holiness is morally flawless (1 Peter 1:16) and relationally exclusive—He will not share His temple with idols (Ezekiel 43:7–9). • The Spirit lifting Ezekiel underscores that approaching this holiness requires divine enablement; human effort alone cannot stand in that radiance. God’s Majesty Proclaimed • Majesty speaks of royal authority, dominion, weight. The Hebrew word for “glory” (kavod) carries the idea of heaviness—God’s presence is substantial and commanding. • By filling the inner court, the LORD enthrones Himself at the heart of worship, declaring, “This is My throne and the place for the soles of My feet” (Ezekiel 43:7). • Psalm 24:7–10 and 99:1 tie glory to kingship; Revelation 4:2–11 portrays identical splendor in heaven. Ezekiel’s vision aligns earth with that heavenly throne room. Practical Responses to Holiness and Majesty • Reverent worship—Hebrews 12:28–29 urges “grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” • Pursuit of purity—2 Corinthians 7:1 calls believers to “perfect holiness in the fear of God,” mirroring the temple precinct cleansed for glory. • Confidence in God’s future—Ezekiel’s vision guarantees that the Lord will dwell among His people permanently (Ezekiel 43:9; Revelation 21:3). • Joyful proclamation—Psalm 96:3: “Declare His glory among the nations,” because the majesty Ezekiel saw is meant to be announced to the world. Summing Up Ezekiel 43:5 lifts our eyes to an awesome, literal return of God’s glory, reminding us that His holiness is unapproachable apart from His grace and that His majesty brooks no rivals. The verse summons us to worship with trembling delight, pursue personal purity, and live in expectant hope of the day His glory fills the earth as surely as it filled the prophet’s view. |
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